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Wilde Projects presents Walking in Trees, an outdoor art project connecting urban dwellers with the natural world around them. From 31 August to 15 September 2019, a specially constructed scaffolding staircase enables Aucklanders to walk, sit and relax in the magical sub-canopy of a majestic Himalayan cedar tree in Albert Park.

The inaugural Walking in Trees project in 2014 attracted 5,000 visitors in just ten days through a Moreton Bay Fig Tree in the park. In 2019 the project will illuminate Albert Park’s fascinating history. Built on the remnants of an ancient volcano, a pā site and military barracks, and located above 3.5 km of underground tunnels, the park has also played host to music festivals, graduation celebrations and significant antiwar, queer, feminist and land protests.

“French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty wrote that genuine philosophy is about re-learning the way we see the world, and in a similar way this project provokes a similar desire”, says contributing artist Richard Orjis.

Walking in Trees asks such questions as: How might we build cities in alternative ways? What histories are seen and unseen? What forms of collectives are now needed? How can collectives cross borders and encompass sameness and difference with other humans, plants and animals?

Walking in Trees creates an opportunity for its audience to explore the city from a new perspective, and along with the sculptural installation, to engage with free talks and workshops that explore creativity, ecology and local histories.

Further information about the project can be found at Wilde Projects on Facebook.

Walking in Trees - Free workshops - all welcome:

Workshop #1 Drawing together: Lunchtime drawing session.
12:00pm-1:30pm Wednesday, September 4,2019
This free lunchtime drawing session uses contemporary drawing to engage with the installation Walking in Trees. The workshop opens up a range of drawing approaches that encourage participants to view art, the environment and their creativity in new and exciting ways. No previous knowledge of drawing needed. Please bring your own paper and drawing materials.

Workshop #2 Drawing together: Lunchtime drawing session.
12:00pm-1:30pm Wednesday September 11, 2019
This free lunchtime drawing session uses contemporary drawing to engage with the installation Walking in Trees. The workshop opens up a range of drawing approaches that encourage participants to view art, the environment and their creativity in new and exciting ways. No previous knowledge of drawing needed. Please bring your own paper and drawing materials.

Workshop #3 Wild-walk: Eco-art walk for Kids
10am-12pm Saturday, September 14, 2019
This walk-shop explores art and ecology through actions of building and unbuilding. Come along with performing artist Christina Houghton for a moving group activity in Albert park that explores our wild relationship to nature through moving, camouflage, tree-hugging, hide making and generally being-with plants.

Workshop #4 Cruising in the Park: A queer drawing walk-shop.
1pm-3pm Sunday, September 15, 2019
This walk-shop explores art and ecology through actions of building and unbuilding. Artist Richard Orjis hosts this group walk-shop in Albert park that explores the subterranean and shifting histories of the park. Walking, drawing and thinking around. Participants are encouraged to imagine the former papakāinga, military barracks, tunnels and nearby Wai Ariki Spring.